Curtain rod assembly



Patented June 8, 1943 t i omc-s CURTAIN non ASSEMBLY Arthur L. TheXtOn,Fort Thomas, Ky., as svi"g`nor to Clopay Corporation, CincinnatL'Ohio, a.corpo-f ration of Maryland Application October'l, 1942, Serial No.462,469 2 claims. (oigan-105.1.)

This invention relates to a rod for supporting curtains, shades or thelike and is particularly concerned with an improvement in theconstruction of the rod on whichthe curtains are sup-A ported and themanner in which this'rod is vsecured to the brackets which hold itpositioned on a wall or window frame. The invention is likewiseconcerned with the construction of a curtain rod assembly from wood andother materials non-essential to the present war effort.

Although curtain rods have in the past been constructed from wood, aproblem has always existed in providing a surface which is so smooththat it will not catch and tear a curtain of fine fabric as the curtainis'slipped along the rod. A diiculty has also existed in providing awooden curtain rod and bracket assembly in which the rod is securely,although removably, positioned on the supporting brackets. Since incurtain rod construction it is practically essential that the rod beremovable from the brackets or other supporting means, the use of nailsor screws for securing the rod to the supporting means is practicallyout of the question. Furthermore, the

protruding points of any such fastening means tend to catch and tearcurtains positioned on the rod.

Although, admittedly, it has been possible to solve these variousproblems by the use of metal rods and brackets and various types ofmetal fastening means, the present invention is concerned exclusivelywith a structure which completely dispenses with the use of metal forthe dual purposes of lower costs of construction and conserving thesupply of metal for more essential uses.

With these objectives in mind, one of the purposes of the presentinvention has been to provide a curtain rod which although primarilyconstructed of Wood has been covered in such a Way as to present anabsolutely smooth surface to a mesh curtain positioned on the rod.

Another object of the invention has been to provide a curtain rodassembly constructed entirely from non-essential materials.

Another object has been to provide an assembly of this type in which therod may be very when considered in conjunction with the drawings inwhich: Y l

Figure 1 represents-an elevation offa curtain rod assembly-of 'the typeo'f the invention posi- 'tioned ina window frame and-supporting aj paircf'curtans. In this view'the -rod is concealed by the folds of thecurtain and is represented by broken lines.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a curtain rod assembly of the type of theinvention in operative position on a wall or window frame.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 3 3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional View along the line 4 6, Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of a portion of the curtainrod and particularly illustrates the manner in which the rod is wrappedor sheathed to present a smooth outer surface. Y

In Figure 1 the rod I is concealed by the curtains and is outlined bythe broken lines. The frame of the window in which the curtains arepositioned is indicated at 3 and the supporting brackets which with therod complete the curtain rod assembly are shown at 5--5 and 1, thelatter being the central supporting bracket.

The elements of the assemblir are best shown in Figure 2. In this viewthe rod I which is herey shown in two sections is supported at its outerends by brackets 5-5 and in the center by the central supporting bracket7. 'Ihe outer ends of the rod are fitted into slots 4 in the brackets 5as shown also in Figure 3 while a central portion of the rod may fltinto and be supported by the slot S in the central supporting bracket 'l(see Figure 4). Where'the rod is in two sections as shown in Figure 2,the inner ends of the sections will be held contiguous to one another bythe central supporting bracket Which should be of suflicient width -toaccommodate an appreciable portion of the rod length. The variousbrackets may be aixed to the window frame or a wall by the screws 8. l

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the preferred form of the invention therod is of generally flat configuration tapered toward one side edge. Theslots 4 may be tapered correspondingly so that the rod may be forcedcompletely into the end slots to provide a very tight lit where aone-piece rod is utilized. The slot 6 in the central support bracket 'lis designed more for the purpose of supporting the rod than gripping itand it is not essential that this slot be tapered as shown. I-Iowever,this central supporting bracket has particular utility where, as shownin Figure 2, a sectional rod is provided and the ends of the respectivesections are positioned in the slot 6 in the cen-'- trai supportingbracket 1 and engaged by the sides thereof. In this event the taperingslot is quite advantageous. If a shorter length of rod is used, it maybe possible to dispense with the central supporting bracket and suspendthe rod entirely from the two end brackets 5 5.

As shown in Figure 5, the core of the rod 9 may be formed from a stripof soft Wood such as pine. Paperboard is also an acceptable material forthis purpose. To make the surface of the rod absolutely smooth a sheetof paper I0 is wrapped around the core 9, adhesivelyV secured thereto,and may be overlapped as at I I. The paper used for this purpose may bealmost any reasonably decorative type, such as for example a low-pricedbook paper.

The result of encasing the wooden rod strip in paper is to provide asurface which is absolutely smooth along the entire length thereof andone on which mesh curtains cannot be torn or marred in Aany way. Inaddition, the paper covering makes the surface of the rod slightlycompressible so that, if desired, it can be forced into the slots in thebrackets to provide a, very tight engagement.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, I have provided acurtain rod assembly of simple construction and entirely fabricated frommaterials which are readily available at the present time. However, atthe same time the structure has been found to be very effective for thepurposes intended.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a curtain rod assembly, a pair of supporting brackets and acurtain rod suspended between said brackets, each of said bracketshaving a tapered slot therein for the reception of an end of the rod,said rod being tapered toward a side edge and having a compressibleouter surface to provide a tight engagement with the slots in thebrackets.

2. In a curtain rod assembly, a. pair of supporting brackets and acurtain rod adapted to be suspended between said brackets, each of saidbrackets having a tapered slot therein for the reception of an end ofthe rod, said rod being tapered toward a side edge and comprising a coreand a covering of brous sheet material Wound around said core to providea compressible outer surface for tight-engagement with the slots in thebracket.

ARTHUR L. THEXTON.

